THIS time last year John McGinn was plotting a route into St Mirren’s RESERVE side.

Now his picture is plastered across the stadium walls with his place as a club legend guaranteed.

The teenager is still pinching himself after a dream season that saw him cement a spot in Danny Lennon’s team AND earn a League Cup winner’s medal.

Now he wants to kick on and achieve more success.

Despite their Hampden glory day, the 18-year-old says Saints’ SPL form was awful and must be sorted out.

McGinn said: “It’s been a whirlwind season. To finish my first campaign as a pro with a cup medal is mind blowing.

“Last summer, my only expectation was to be a regular in the Under-20s team.

“But I got the nod as a sub against Celtic in October then the manager had confidence in me to start me.

“I haven’t looked back but I know there will be higher expectations on me now going into the new season.

“We under-achieved massively last season – finishing 11th in the league is terrible.

“So we want to push for the top six, maybe even get another winner’s medal.”

McGinn was rewarded immediately after the final in March with a call-up to Scotland’s Under-19 squad.

And his party celebrations were cut short when he had to report for training the day after his heroics against Hearts.

McGinn said: “I was on Cloud Nine but didn’t expect Ricky Sbragia to actually make me train. They shouldn’t have brought me in. I was playing for the other team in training – it was like being a man down.

“I got a wee round of applause when I arrived which was great and made up for missing out on the week-long party back in Paisley.

“It’s amazing to think my name will go down in history, along with the rest of the boys, after winning the cup.

“Our pictures are plastered all over the stadium walls now. It’ll be weird to walk in and realise you’re a club legend.

“I don’t think I’ll ever have to buy a pint in Paisley ever again after our Hampden win.”

McGinn picked up St Mirren’s Young Player of the Year award after his stunning impact last season and was pipped by Dundee United ace Stuart Armstrong to the SFWA gong.

He said: “These are great honours. Being runner-up for the SFWA award was a surprise because there are so many good young players in the SPL now.”